Kano guber: Controversy trails Appeal Court judgement as CTC affirms Gov Yusuf’s election

A purported certified true copy (CTC) of the Court of Appeal judgement on the Kano State governorship election, indicated that the court affirmed the victory of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), in the March 18 Kano governorship election in Kano state.

The appellate court had in a unanimous judgement, delivered last Friday, upheld the decision of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked Governor Yusuf and declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the winner of the election.

But the controversial document alleged to be part of the judgement, indicated that the appeal court judges affirmed the victory of Governor Yusuf.

Confirming the document in a statement on Tuesday, Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said: “A certified copy of Appeal court Judgement on Kano state Governorship election has affirmed the victory of Abba Kabiru Yusuf as duly elected Governor of Kano state.”

“In the fresh revelation as indicated in the written judgement, the Court of Appeal, set aside the judgement of the Kano election petition tribunal for lacking in merit.

“The evidence contained on page 67 of the copy of the Appeal Court judgement released on Tuesday and signed by Registrar Jameel Ibrahim Umar, the appellate court upheld the victory of Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP as duly elected Governor of Kano.

“The three-member appeal court, on Friday 17th November 2023 had dismissed the appeal filed by Governor Yusuf on the basis of his membership status.

“The appellate court subsequently affirmed Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress APC as winner of March 25th, 2023 Governorship poll in Kano.”

While further affirming the claim, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi told journalists on Tuesday evening that: “Page 67 of the certified copy of the judgement clearly indicated that the tribunal’s ruling that sacked Governor Yusuf was set aside.

“Contrary to what the Judges read to the public in the court room on the 17th November, the written evidence has vindicated Yusuf as legitimate Governor of Kano state.”